The Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI), Mr. Patrice Gumbs, has finalized the return of long-lease land to Country Sint Maarten. The land is located in Cul de Sac, in the area locally known as Golden Rock and Industry, adjacent to the current Emilio Wilson Park.
Together, the four parcels returned a total of approximately 172,626 square meters, just over 17 hectares or 42 acres to the Government of Sint Maarten. In practical terms, land that was previously tied up in a private long lease is now back in the hands of Country Sint Maarten, giving the Government the ability to zone and plan it for the long-term benefit of the people.
In its 2012 report, UNESCO-IHE identified the area as one of the best locations for naturally managing stormwater drainage in the Cul-de-Sac areas. Additional studies have identified it as a refuge for species native to Sint Maarten. With this in mind, Minister Gumbs announced his intention to designate a significant portion of the land as Sint Maarten’s first terrestrial national park, based on the 2009 St Maarten Proposed Land Parks Management Plan.
In the coming weeks, the Minister will schedule meetings with stakeholders to discuss how best to move forward with and develop this initiative. The Ministry is also expected to receive the first draft of the protection ordinance soon, which will help ensure that the Government is legally able to protect these areas.
